Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Job offer and decision

6 replies

Trufflebutter24 · 24/03/2024 21:21

I’m currently working PT in a fairly flexible role, pretty much from home, the expectation being I travel into the office for important meetings.
The role is a FTC ending in July.
I decided to apply for a very similar role (although charity sector), and have been offered the job. It’s a perm contract.

The offer letter states the role is “flexible and hybrid”.

Im having a few worries (in typical me fashion)

Firstly the pay I’ve been offered is 2k per year (pro rata) more than I’m currently being paid, so I know first thing to confirm is how much I’m expected into the office as cost will be around £30 per day for travel. The banding maximum is a further 3k, so I guess there’s wiggle room there.

My second concern and probably my biggest one is school holidays. Especially the 6 weeks. My DC had to go to summer camp last year and hated it. The one real benefit of my contract ending in July was the peace of mind I had with regards to the 6 weeks. Now, with a new job in mind, I’m going to have to rely on summer camps more and drag my unwilling child there, which makes me feel very guilty.

My youngest is 3 this year, my husband works self employed, he leaves the house before 6am every day.

If I didn’t have my children, I would take this job, but I’m really nervous about any disruption to our routine/ extra stress as I simply cannot cope with that.

Im just looking for advice on if I should (after negotiations on salary) accept the role, depending on how much I need to be in the office. Or continue with my FTC, having summer off, looking for a role later on in the year that potentially fits in better with small kids.

Financially, without work for a short term is possible.

OP posts:
Runnerduck34 · 24/03/2024 21:40

That's a really tough one OP.
Congratulations on job offer!
As role says it's flexible/ hybrid I wouldn't expect to go into office much but it is a good idea to clarify expectations.
I've previously found charity sector to be good employers although I guess this may not be universal.
Is this also a part time role?
If so can you negotiate hours during summer holidays. For example condensed hours / longer days so you get 1/ 2 days per week off.
I would also say you have holiday booked during summer hols so they honour some time off .
Can your self employed DH also have flexibility over his hours and reduce the work he takes on during summer holidays to spend time with kids?
Ultimately how much do you want this job? How confident are you of finding another job in September ?
Would your DH be making similar decisions if it was him and priotising family over job offers ? I just say this as I have turned down job offers in the past for childcare reasons but my DH has never considered childcare when accepting a job!
It's really tough because you will always want to put your DC happiness first.
Are there any alternative holiday clubs or any family or friends that can also help out?
Will you regret turning this job down?
Sorry not sure this is any help but no one can make the decision for you .

Trufflebutter24 · 24/03/2024 22:02

Thank you for replying @Runnerduck34 💜
This is a PT role, I would have support from family, but I’d still need one day of external support I think, my parents are getting older and I really don’t like instability so I think for my sanity, I’d need to have a solid plan in place for the summer.
This is a really cool role, but I don’t think I’d regret it, no. I try not to hold on to any decisions, I know that timing is everything and I do believe had this role come up in a couple of years, there would be no doubts in my mind.
One part of me thinks, why not try it, it may work out. The other part of me is worried that I’m just adding another layer of stress to my already quite stressful existence, and is it really worth it in the long run, gah 😫
Theres other options for me but nothing is guaranteed. I also think the reality of turning down a job offer gives me the heeby jeebies!

OP posts:
OsloCyclingCake · 24/03/2024 22:05

Go for it but ask if you can have any parental leave unpaid go help cover some summer holidays? Best of both worlds a new job but you get time off even if it’s unpaid?

Lilysilrose · 24/03/2024 22:09

Do you know about unpaid parental leave? You could request a few weeks unpaid leave in August combined with paid leave. https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave

Unpaid parental leave

Employer and employee guide to unpaid parental leave - eligibility, how much leave can be taken and notice periods

https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave

Trufflebutter24 · 24/03/2024 22:15

Thank you for your replies. I believe based on what I’ve just read that I need to be in the role for 1 year before I’m eligible

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread